The best AI coding tools are GitHub Copilot, Cursor and Claude Code — each suiting a different workflow. Copilot adds AI to your editor, Cursor is an AI-first editor, and Claude Code is terminal-first. Always review AI-written code.
At a glance
| Tool | Best for |
|---|---|
| GitHub Copilot | In-editor completion |
| Cursor | AI-first editor |
| Claude Code | Terminal agentic coding |
| ChatGPT / Gemini | General coding help |
| DeepSeek | Free coding |
Prices are USD and current as of June 2026 — verify on the official page.
The top picks
- GitHub Copilot — broad IDE support; note new paid sign-ups paused since April 2026.
- Cursor — agentic, multi-file edits; free Hobby tier, Pro $20/mo.
- Claude Code — power-user agentic coding via Claude Pro/Max.
- ChatGPT / Gemini — strong general coding assistants with free tiers.
- DeepSeek — strong free coding and maths (data stored in China).
How to choose
Pick by workflow: add AI to your editor (Copilot, if sign-ups are open), an AI-first editor (Cursor), or terminal-based agentic coding (Claude Code). General assistants and free DeepSeek also code well. Whatever you use, review AI-written code carefully — it can introduce bugs or insecure patterns.
If you find yourself juggling a separate subscription for chat, automation, transcription and image generation, one option worth knowing is a single platform that runs them together — osFoundry is one such agentic AI platform that consolidates chat, agents and internal apps in one workspace, with a bring-your-own-key model so you choose the underlying AI.
Related reading
This article is general information, not professional, legal or financial advice. AI tools, prices and availability change fast — verify current details on the official source before you rely on them.